Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Feren Films Y'all Shouldn't Miss

About two weeks ago, Michelle at Bleeding Espresso wrote a post about the five films that summed up Italy for her. It got me thinking about foreign films. I haven't watched many foreign films, but of the ones I've seen over the years (subtitles and all), these are some of my favorites:



Amélie
I loved this film. Audrey Tautou is absolutely charming. The film is a whimsical depiction of contemporary Parisian life, set in Montmartre. It tells the story of a shy waitress, played by Tautou, who decides to change the lives of those around her for the better, while struggling with her own isolation. It's impossible to not walk away with a smile on your face.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Two warriors in pursuit of a stolen sword and a notorious fugitive are led to an impetuous, physically-skilled, teenage nobleman's daughter, who is at a crossroads in her life.


Shall We Dance?
I saw the original Japanese version of this movie long before Richard Gere took dancing lessons from Jennifer Lopez. And I loved it! A successful but unhappy Japanese accountant finds the missing passion in his life when he begins to secretly take ballroom dance lessons. Just a gorgeous film.



Malèna
An intimate portrait and an epic story of the courage we discover, the innocence we surrender, and the memories we cherish.....forever. Since then, I've not been able to forget Monica Bellucci, a name I'd never heard before this flick. She's seriously one of the sexiest things on the face of the earth.



The Motorcycle Diaries
This movie is based on the journals of Che Guevara, leader of the Cuban Revolution. In his memoirs, Guevara recounts adventures he and best friend, Alberto Granado, had while crossing South America by motorcycle in the early 1950s. The trip brought them to what would eventually be their life's calling.



Monsoon Wedding
Monsoon Wedding is a beautiful tapestry of several stories running in parallel during a wedding gathering of a large family in Delhi. The colors of the tapestry being the true and real colors of today's india - the good, the bad, the ugly colors and not to mention the color of loving and living life despite all odds. The context of wedding happens to be perfect for picturising the celebration of all those colors. A family wedding anyone would love to be part of!


The Namesake
American-born Gogol, the son of Indian immigrants, wants to fit in among his fellow New Yorkers, despite his family's unwillingness to let go of their traditional ways. An incredibly touching depiction of a father and son's relationship and how what's important eventually comes to light.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO:
This Guy Sucks
2 YEARS AGO:
Shine And Shine
3 YEARS AGO:
Eddie Hoots It Up Friday
4 YEARS AGO:
Eddie The Bird Whisperer
5 YEARS AGO:
Laundress

1 comment:

Evil Pixie said...

More to add to you list... Orphans (Scottish), War of the Buttons (Irish), and Hero (Chinese).